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When you go to purchase your next car, you have a few options. One of these is leasing a car. While not all consumers fully understand what it means to lease a car, it is often viewed as an attractive alternative to buying and for good reason. To determine if a lease to own program is right for you, it’s important to first understand the benefits of leasing a car.

Low Monthly Payments

One of the biggest benefits to leasing a car is the ability to lock in a low monthly payment. The reason you have a lower monthly payment when you lease a car versus buying one is because you don’t invest in ownership equity each month. This simply means that you’re only paying for a portion of the value of the vehicle. This usually makes your lease payments between 30 and 60 percent lower than financing a car.

GAP Coverage

When purchasing a new car, it’s generally recommended that you get GAP insurance. The goal of gap coverage is to cover the difference between the value of the car and how much your insurance will pay in the event you are involved in an accident. Lease agreements typically come with GAP protections. Dealerships do this for their benefit since they still technically own the car, but it benefits you as well.

More Car for Less

In the same realm of having a lower monthly payment, you also get to enjoy more car for less. Consumers generally have an estimated monthly payment that they can afford. This means that they’re locked into getting cars that fit within that budget. If you can get a car for a cheaper monthly payment, you can suddenly look into getting cars that were originally outside your price range. For many consumers, this means gaining access to a newer model of car.

Cheaper Taxes

Another benefit to leasing a car is that it’s less of a tax burden. Most states don’t require you to pay taxes on the entire value of lease vehicles. If you buy the car straight out, you have to pay taxes on the entire car. When leasing, you’re only taxed for the portion of the value of the car while it’s under your lease agreement.

Small to No Down Payment

You don’t always have to make a down payment when you’re leasing a car. You do have to make the first monthly payment and pay for all of the registration fees upfront, but this is often way less than the down payment you would need to make when buying a car. That being said, there are some promotional deals that require you to make some kind of down payment to take advantage of the deals. However, these down payments are still cheaper than the alternative of financing the car straight out.

Avoiding the Hassle of Used Cars

Lastly, you get to avoid the used-car hassle. When you own a car, you typically sell or trade it when you buy a new one. When you lease a car, however, you simply return it to the dealership, and you’re done. You have the option to buy or trade in for another car to lease, but it’s all up to you in the end.

Everyone loves a beautiful shine to their vehicle all the time. I will walk you step by step on how to wash your car the right way. The first thing you need to do is get the proper items for that beautiful shine. You will need some car wash soap, you can buy it at your local auto parts shopor even your local retailers. When picking your soap make sure it is a brand that gurantees to get the bugs and grime off your car. Next you will need to get a leather shammy cloth for drying your vehicle. With this cloth it removes water better than a bath towel. Next get some good wax to shine your vehicle to its beautiful state. Get some exterior window cleaner that repels rain and water and also some interior glass cleaner. Last but not least if you want your tires to be glossy like the day you bought your vehicle get some sort of tire gloss or tire shine. Here are the steps:

Step 1: pull your vehicle on to your lawn or on a cement driveway.

Step 2: mix your car wash soap into a bucket along with a sponge, or soft brush sponge.

Step 3: take a garden hose with a spray nozel and pre rinse your vehicle. Make sure to spray your wheels and rims good for another step in the process.

Step 4: once you have rinsed your vehicle of all the dirt and grime start to apply your soap. (Note: that only wash portions of your vehicle especially in hot heatthis will keep from having the soap dry and leaving residue on your vehicle). Start with your front bumper and work your way back to the back of your car. The best way to wash with soap is to soak your sponge and go in circular motions with a little presser.

Step 5: after you wash each section it is a good idea to rinse it off so the soap does not stay on there while you are doing the next section.

Step 6: once you have cleaned each section and rinsed it off it is a good idea to repeat steps 3-5 to get any left over dirt or bugs off your vehicle.

Step 7: now its time to take your shammy cloth and start drying your vehicle. (Note: get the shammy wet then ring it out really good it works better wet). As you begin drying your vehicle you will notice that the shammy will absorb the water from your car. Do not be alarmed that it is doing its job just continue to ring it out as it gets full of water.

Step 8: once your vehicle is completely dry you can now begin to wax your car. Again only do portions of your car at a time. When waxing do not put a bunch of wax on your wax sponge. Just put a quarter size on the sponge and start running the sponge in a circular motion over each portion. Once the wax has dryed you may now take a soft dry cloth and begin to wipe the wax off. Again I would do this in a circular motion.

Step 9: once you have waxed your entire car you are now ready to shine the tires with tire gloss. In this step make sure your tire and rims are both dry. Most of the tire glossy is liquid and it comes in a squirt bottle. Squirt each tire and rim till it has the wet look. Wipe down rims only at this time. The gloss will begin to soak into your tire. Once this is complete you may have to apply another coat to each tire.

Step 10: now clean your windows inside and out. If time permits vaccuum the inside of your car to give it that new car look.

At this time your car should be as beautiful as the day you bought it and now its time to take it around the block and show off your beauty to your friends. This is the proper way to wash and clean you car. Good luck!

We have all been there. Sick of taking public transportation everywhere you go. Sick of depending on others for a ride to the store or to the party down the street. You have now decided that you want to buy a car. Do you buy a new car? Do you buy a used car? These are just some of the things you need to pay attention to when you consider purchasing a vehicle. There are pro’s and con’s to both options and in this article we are going to explore them so you can decide what option is best for you.

There is no greater feeling than buying your first brand new car. Having less than 50 miles on the dashboard while breathing in that new car smell is one feeling that can’t be replicated too easily. Being the first owner of the car saves you from any possible surprises from the previous owners had you bought a used car. If you don’t have the cash on hand, financing a new car is easier than financing an older one. Now that I have shown you the light, I must show you the dark. As soon as you drive that new car off the lot you just lost, in many cases. thousands of dollars. A car depreciates in value much quicker than many other assets such as houses and other property. Almost always, a car should not be viewed an investment vehicle, no pun intended.

Now, although you will be missing out on that sweet smell of fresh leather getting a used car has it’s perks. Remember when I told you that as soon as you drive a new car off the lot you just lost some equity in your car? Although your car still depreciates afterwards, that part is usually the biggest point of depreciation so the worst is over. Used cars are obviously much cheaper than the cars original MSRP. Buying a used car gives you many more options to choose from. You can select from many different body styles from various years. If you are on a budget you can still drive a luxury car that is just an older model. Imports become more of affordable and so do those upgrades that were too expensive for you when you wanted to buy a brand new car. As always though, for ever pro there is a con. If you are buying a used car you may have a little bit of time left before the warranty expire or they would have expired by then. Some car companies do not even allow a transfer of the warranty if one of their cars were resold. This is especially alarming because you take a bigger risk by buying a second hand car. As you rack up the miles there is more of a chance that you’ll run into maintenance problems so always be aware of the milage. You don’t know if they got oil changes timely or if they really took care of their car. There are many possible “bumps and bruises” that the car can take and if you don’t know about some it can be costly down the road. Finding a used car that has all the documentation of maintenance is ideal. Consider all of these things and you will be on the safe side.

Founded in 2003, Tesla Motors is the epitome of innovation. Rapidly growing in reputation around the world, Tesla cars come with sensational torque, power and zero emissions. Inspired by the genius Nikola Tesla, the company never stops aspiring to reach its goal of transitioning the world to sustainable, electric vehicles. On March 31st, 2016 the Tesla Model 3 was revealed as the company’s first affordable vehicle design.

Speculation on the Specs

These are still somewhat unverified. However, Tesla CEO and Founder Elon Musk confirmed that the Model 3 houses a single motor powertrain and the Supercharger hardware that makes Tesla cars so exceptional. Musk also stated that a single charge will last about 215 miles or better. Compare that to the average EPA of 90 miles per charge for current electric vehicles and already you can see the potential.

Kind-of Affordable

A Model S runs around $75,000.00; so it is no wonder why Tesla has been avidly working towards the fabrication of budget-friendly option. The Model 3 is projected to cost $35,000. Pre-orders are available at starting deposits of $1,000, beginning March 31st, 2016. On the Monday that followed this momentous unveiling, more than 325,000 people had already made their refundable deposits. For the curious, that is over $14 billion in future sales.

Mass Production

The company plans to produce more than 500,000 Model 3 cars by the year 2020. You might think that seems slightly outrageous, but Tesla is serious. In a Bloomberg report from March 14, 2016, the Tesla Factory in California has expanded and revamped their entire factory in preparation for production. For example, a new paint shop was installed that can handle up to 500,000 cars in a single year.

Superfast Ride

The Model 3 will leave scorch marks. Aaron Gold from Auto Express had the chance to take a test drive in a Tesla Model 3 prototype. The car he sampled had a dual-motor AWD system that was higher grade than what would come standard. Gold summarizes his adventure as, “The Model 3 leapt to an indicated 60mph in what felt like around four and half seconds, with the torquey, jet-like acceleration typical of electric cars.”

Minimalist Cabin

The inside is supposedly very stark. Though Musk hinted that after more testing, changes will be made to the interior design. That said, a similarity to the Model S and X is the dashboard’s touch screen. However, the Model 3’s screen is horizontally-oriented. The presence of the touchscreen means that the Model 3 will have auto-pilot capabilities—a purchasable customization. Safety features, such as the collision mitigation feature, will be enabled by default.

Incredible View

Tesla’s Model 3 has a roof that redefines “panoramic.” Unlike usual cars with a secondary sunroof, the Model 3’s rear window, rooftop, and windshield are a single unit. Not only does this eliminate visual hindrances, it creates tremendous headroom. However, since the rear window and roof blend together, there is no hatch for cargo access. Thus, the trunk lid is extremely small. Musk has not yet detailed how this might change in production.

Although many people are earnestly awaiting the release of the Tesla Model 3, production may not start until late 2017. Elon Musk stated that he is confident about the production’s commencement, but the true start might actually be 2018. While there will be changes made to the Model 3, the anticipation is well deserved. 2017 cannot come soon enough.

Learning how to care for your vehicle is an important step as a vehicle owner. Part of this involves learning how to change your own car brakes. Although many would believe the process to be very difficult, it you learn the proper steps to take it is not difficult at all to change brakes on your vehicle.

NECESSARY TOOLS

There are some necessary tools, that you will need to gather before you begin working. When you go to buy your car brakes and rotors, be sure to speak with someone to ensure you purchase the correct parts.

3/8″ and 1/2″ Ratchet

1/2″ Breaker Bar

3/8″ Assorted Extensions

3/8″ and 1/2″ Assorted Sockets

Assorted Open-Ended Wrenches

Assorted Torx Sockets

Assorted Hex Sockets

Assorted Reverse Torx Sockets

C-Clamp

Hydraulic Jack and Jack Stands

Pry Bar

Wire Brush

Gloves

WD-40

Brake Pads

Rotors

STEPS

Ensure the emergency brake is set for your protection.

Put your 1/2″ breaker bar (with the correct size) on the front lug nuts and turn counter-clockwise while the car is on the ground. Loosen all of the lug nuts.

Put the hydraulic jacks underneath either the frame rail or the jacking points if available. Place jack stands under the car and rest the car securely on the jack stands.

Remove all of the wheels.

Check the caliper for the size of the bolts. Remove them and slide the caliper out. Rest on the suspension. Do not let it hang.

Remove the bolts on the rear of the hub that hold the caliper carrier on.

Remove the rotor after first checking that there is no locating screw to be removed first.

Use the wire brush and clean the rust of off the hub. Use the WD-40 if it is needed.

When you install the rotor, be sure it stays flush by using a lug nut and an open-ended wrench. Tighten down all of the components. Make sure to use a brake cleaner or degreaser to wipe off residue from the rotor.

Replace all of the carrier bolts. Use a breaker bar to tighten them down.

Use a c-clamp and an old brake pad, compress the caliper piston. Make sure it is flush with the housing. Have the cap off of the brake reservoir.

Install the pads in the carrier. Use anti-squeal grease on the outside of the pad. Install the caliper bolts. Make sure the caliper can move smoothly. Tighten the bolts.

Put the wheels back on and tighten the lugs.

Lower the car to the ground and check the lug nuts.

Pump the brakes until the pressure is released.

Now that you can change brakes on your vehicle, this is one part of the car maintenance that you no longer have to go to a garage for. Following these steps will allow you to safely change your brakes and teach you to be more self-sufficient.

For many years the auto industry in the United States has impacted millions of households in more ways than one. Anyone could look at the number of vehicles sold and assume that the economy was healthy. However, during the 2007 to 2008 recession, everything changed. Sales on cars saw a precipitous decline, which reflected the general reduction in consumer spending. Yes, Ford Motor always has a billion dollar cash reserve for economic disruptions. General Motors and Chrysler though were faced with bankruptcy decisions and so the U.S. government had to step in to bail out these auto industry manufacturers.

The Comeback

However, come February 2012, the auto industry started to recover and General Motors in addition to Chrysler had to pay back the bailout money given to them by the government during the recession. By that time, the auto industry was making big profits again. As the economy flourished, more people were buying vehicles. In fact, it is documented that the biggest profits in the auto industry was made in 2012.

Growth and Development

The economy in the United States has seen a transformation in the auto industry due to the techniques and methods initiated by Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor. He has put a stamp on the auto industry and made it a key contributor to America’s prosperity. The auto industry has created thousands of jobs and it keeps getting better as the industry is developing. The assembly line requires workers and Henry Ford’s part by part model created more jobs with its mass vehicle production.

Beyond the Fundamentals

In addition, machine tool makers financially benefited from the industry because the auto industry needed more parts and supplies for metal fixtures such as the chassis and engines. Beyond these fundamentals, every vehicle needed to have a battery, upholstery, head lights and paint job. So, new businesses were started to create these needed products and existing businesses also supplied what was needed. The auto industry continues to grow in increments each year.

More Business

As the auto industry transformed itself, insurance coverage is needed and so this created more new business for auto insurance companies as it did for auto dealers. Thousands of Americans were able to get jobs and start careers. Advertising agencies secured contracts with auto dealers and other industries to run their national ad campaigns for new car sales. Gasoline is necessary to run a vehicle so, yes, the petroleum industry also benefited from the comeback of the auto industry. Toll fees increased as a result of more cars on the road, whether the driver is going to work or just driving the highways to go elsewhere.

Suburban Living

As the middle class moved to the suburbs, there was a need for reliable transportation. For that reason, the more people purchasing homes in the suburbs, the more vehicle purchases are being made. No one wants to be stuck in ‘la la land’ without transportation.

The Bottom Line

It is safe to say, then, that even though, the auto industry lost during the economy times, there is certainly a transformation, which seems to be progressive as America moves forward. People will always be buying vehicles in safer economic periods.